These rare baskets are woven by Samburu and Rendille women in remote northern Kenya. Called "nomadic baskets," the baskets are styled for the modern home but based on traditional designs used for the storage of camel's milk.

Nomadic baskets are sold in three useful nesting sizes and are adorned with white beads. Because these baskets are handcrafted, each will vary slightly.

Each basket is tightly knit and is designed to last a lifetime. Sold individually. Approximate measurements: [L] 7"D x 5"T [M] 5.5"D x 4"T [S] 4.5"D x 4"T.

About the Artisans:

For the pastoral communities of northern Kenya, life pivots on the coming of rain and the survival of livestock. When the skies open, the landscape becomes lush and fragrant. Cattle and goats drink and forage near home and families stay together. In times of drought, warriors must travel far to find water for their herds, leaving women and children at home alone to endure dry seasons of unknown length as the streams, earth and trees dry around them.

Where they were once only allowed to own milk, Samburu women now own camels, plus they earn income by making baskets, processing meat and hides, keeping bees and refining honey. Through this shift in property control and a general increase in literacy in the region, Samburu women have become valued contributing community members.

Songa Designs International empowers a new generation of women in Rwanda, combining traditional weaving skills with modern design to craft these tightly woven sisal baskets. Inspired by nature, each handmade item handwoven with all-natural materials and can be used for storing fruit and vegetables, serving bread or organizing toys.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly.

Dimensions:
Small: 10"L x 10"W x 2.5"H
Large: 12"L x 12"W x 3"H

Crafted from: Banana fiber, sisal

Made in: Rwanda

About the Artisans:

It is typical for many women in developing countries to depend solely on their husbands for financial needs, but Songa Designs International is changing this dynamic. By working for Songa, under-resourced women are encouraged to pursue economic independence, simply by using skills acquired through everyday life. Songa Designs provides jobs for over 150 women who in turn negotiate their own salaries and earn fair wages, which enables them to buy land, health insurance or send their children to school for the first time. Trained by generations of local cultural tradition, the skilled artisans in Rwanda in East Africa craft stylish, high-quality accessories inspired by nature. Each handmade item is tightly woven with all-natural materials such as banana leaf fiber or sisal plants.

Using strands of sisal dyed to a neutral sand tone, women living in remote areas of rural Kenya earn income by crafting beautifully simple baskets that can be used for chic storage in any room of the home. Sisal is a natural fiber extracted from an agave plant, so the baskets are coveted for their durability and ability to be re-shaped.

Sold individually. Choose from Medium or Large.

Dimensions:
Small: 14"D x 10"H (to top of basket), 14"H (to top of handles)
Large: 16"D x 10"H (to top of basket), 14"H (to top of handles)

Crafted from: Sisal fiber

Made in: Kenya

About The Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

A smaller version of our beautiful and durable Bolga baskets, this popular basket style is handwoven from thick, tough elephant grass and will stand up to use and remain functional and beautiful for years.

This small size is wonderful small storage, and it's perfect for children's hands. Add a stuffed animal for a wonderful fair trade gift for a child!

This natural basket features a leather-wrapped handle in a rich red-brown.

Sold individually. Because this is a handcrafted item, each will vary slightly. Made from natural elephant grass and leather.

Approximate Size: 8"D x 8"T

Made in: Ghana

Care: Rinse with cool water and reshape as needed. See our Basket Care and Reshaping page to learn more.

These useful rare baskets are woven by Samburu and Rendille women in remote northern Kenya. Called "nomadic baskets," the baskets are styled for the modern home but based on traditional designs used for the storage of camel's milk.

Nomadic baskets are sold in three useful nesting sizes and are adorned with white beads. Because these baskets are handcrafted, each will vary slightly.

Each basket is tightly knit and is designed to last a lifetime. [L] 7"D x 5"T [M] 5.5"D x 4"T [S] 4.5"D x 4"T. 

About the Artisans:

For the pastoral communities of northern Kenya, life pivots on the coming of rain and the survival of livestock. When the skies open, the landscape becomes lush and fragrant. Cattle and goats drink and forage near home and families stay together. In times of drought, warriors must travel far to find water for their herds, leaving women and children at home alone to endure dry seasons of unknown length as the streams, earth and trees dry around them.

Where they were once only allowed to own milk, Samburu women now own camels, plus they earn income by making baskets, processing meat and hides, keeping bees and refining honey. Through this shift in property control and a general increase in literacy in the region, Samburu women have become valued contributing community members.

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These natural grass baskets are tightly woven by expert weavers in Ghana and feature black leather wrapped handles for durability and comfort. 

A popular choice for eco-conscious shopping, these indispensable baskets stand the test of time, even with daily use. The basket can also be rinsed with water and re-shaped, as needed.

Measures 15"D x 15"T. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, some variation is expected. Your basket may also need some shaping after shipment; see our Basket Shaping Instructions.

This useful set of large, open floor baskets is woven in Ghana from tough elephant grass. Each basket includes a set of woven handles for easy transport, nesting together when not in use.

The baskets are tightly woven and can stand up to years of use while still remaining beautiful. Can be rinsed and reshaped with cool water as needed.

Approximate sizes: Medium - 20" wide x 9" tall; Large - 22" wide x 10" tall. Due to the handcrafted nature of this item, size and shape may vary slightly. Read our Statement on Handmade Variation to learn more.

Handwoven in the Binga District of northern Zimbabwe, these beautiful baskets are crafted from locally harvested palm leaves and wild twigs. Each basket showcases a subtle woven design, and is beautiful on a tabletop or adorning a wall.

Sold singly. Because this is a handcrafted item, each basket will vary.

Dimensions: 12-13"L x 12-13"W x 1.5-2"H

Crafted from: Palm leaves, twigs

Made in: Zimbabwe

Create your own wall display with these beautiful baskets—use code BINGA at checkout for 15% off when you buy 3 or more Binga baskets from our Zimbabwe Binga Baskets collection.

About the Artisans:

In the Binga District of northern Zimbabwe, skilled BaTonga women craft iconic baskets from locally harvested palm leaves and wild twigs. The BaTonga people once farmed fertile land that was flooded by the damming of Lake Kariba, so weavers displaced across the lake demonstrate similar yet clearly distinctive styles.

Talented basket weavers in the northern Bolga region transform tough strands of elephant grass into a shapely storage bin. A beautiful addition to any room of the home, this all-natural basket can be reshaped as needed.

Measures 10"D x 11"T. Due to the handmade nature of this item, some variation is expected.

This versatile set of nesting baskets is handwoven using strands of natural and hand-dyed sisal by talented female artisans in rural Kenya. The baskets are coveted for their ability to be re-shaped, as well as their durability and all-natural composition.

Sold as a set of three nesting baskets.

Dimensions:
Small: 6"L x 6"W x 6"H
Med: 8"L x 8"W x 8"H
Large: 10"L x 10"W x 10"H

Crafted from: Sisal fiber, dye

Made in: Kenya

About the Artisans:

In the rural Kenyan countryside around the city of Kitui, women specialize in weaving the tough fibers of the agave sisalana plant. Sisal's spiky leaf clusters erupt from a dry landscape and often requires long journeys to gather. Once woven, these baskets are sold to local and international markets. Singing, dancing, and chatting make weaving for export an enjoyable social event!

Interweaving natural and dyed grasses to create intricate patterns, Tanzanian artisans hand-craft these stylish baskets. The baskets are named for the weaver, Maila, who perfected the new woven design.

These all-natural baskets are handwoven from milulu, a reed-like grass that grows near the city of Iringa, Tanzania. The milulu makes durable baskets, which can be rinsed with cool water and reshaped as needed.

Sold individually; choose from 3 sizes. Approximate measurements: Small 10" wide x 10" tall; Medium 12" wide x 12" tall; Large 13" wide x 13" tall. Because this product is handmade, size and design placement will vary.

About the Artisans:

Vikapu Bomba embodies the vision of Catherine Shembilu to create sustainable income for talented, rural Tanzanian women. For many women living in the lush southern highlands, life centers around subsistence farming, cooking, cleaning, and caring for children. Women can weave baskets between their other duties, working daily to earn money to pay school fees, buy food, procure farming supplies and contribute to savings. When a woman has money of her own to use or share, she has greater influence over her life and future.

Milulu grass reeds can be harvested carefully from the marsh without removing the entire plant. The reeds are dried in the sun, dyed with natural dyes, and split for weaving. The closeness to the earth of both maker and product gives these beautifully crafted baskets natural appeal.

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